This Publishing Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the date signed below between:

Service Provider:  Bookstand Publishing, a California limited liability company (“Bookstand Publishing”)

Author/Client: The individual signing this agreement (“Author”)

SERVICES:

This agreement constitutes an order for book production services as outlined below:

NOT INCLUDED:

The following services are NOT included in the cost of the Services purchased:

ISBN Numbers: ISBN numbers are not included in the package price. Budget approximately $85 per ISBN edition (paperback, eBook, and maybe hardcover). Each require separate ISBNs if you want full distribution control.

Printed Proof Copies: Physical proof copies for review before final publication will be an additional expense. Budget $10-30 per copy depending on format, page count, and shipping.

Final Physical Inventory: Any author copies or initial inventory you wish to purchase will be at your expense and charged at printing cost plus shipping.

PAYMENT:

Author agrees to pay a deposit of 50% of the agreed-upon package investment at the time of signing this agreement, with the remaining balance due upon approval of the cover design, prior to uploading the final files to the Author's publishing account(s). Authors who elect to pay in full at the time of signing waive the remaining balance due at proof approval.

FEES:

If invoices are not paid within 3 business days of receiving them, late payments shall incur a fee of 5% of the outstanding amount for every seven (7) days the payment remains overdue.

REFUND POLICY:

If the Author wishes to cancel the package, the following refund structure applies:

• Prior to the Interior Formatting stage beginning: a $750 filing and admin fee will be held and the remaining deposit amount will be refunded
• After Interior Formatting has begun: 50% of the deposit paid will be refunded
• After Cover Design process has begun: 0% of the deposit will be refunded, but the remaining balance will not be owed
• Once the cover design is approved: No refund and the entire remaining balance will be owed to receive the Print Ready files

CANCELLATION:

Either Party may terminate this Agreement if the other Party materially breaches any term of this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice. The Service Provider may terminate this Agreement if the Author fails to provide necessary materials, feedback, or cooperation within thirty (30) days of a written request. Upon termination, the Service Provider shall provide the Author with all completed work and work in progress for which payment has been received, and the Service Provider shall invoice Author for any payment due, and payment will be due immediately upon receipt.

AUTHOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Author understands that Service Provider is not an employee, and that this will be a collaborative, professional relationship of equals, as in a partnership, where mutual professional respect, courtesy, and consideration are expected. Due to the virtual nature of the partnership, Author understands the importance of communication, especially via email, and agrees to respond to questions, requests, and communications from Service Provider in a timely manner. Author understands that Service Provider is a business with other clients to service and requires fair, realistic notice in order to attend to requests and projects. Poor planning or miscommunication on the part of Authors will not constitute an emergency for Service Provider. Author understands that Service Provider may require detailed clarification of projects in order to meet expectations and provide the best support and highest quality of work.

The Author shall provide the complete manuscript in an agreed-upon digital format.

The Author acknowledges that delays in providing materials or feedback may result in corresponding delays in the project timeline.

The Author is responsible for the accuracy and quality of the content of the manuscript, including but not limited to factual accuracy, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

The Author understands that working with the Service Provider does not guarantee sales and does not hold the Service Provider responsible for sales earnings.

The Author understands that the Service Provider is not responsible for the distribution, printing, shipping, compensation, sales reporting, and any other service provided by third parties, including IngramSpark and Kindle Direct Publishing, in relation to the publication of the work once the files have been uploaded to their appropriate channel(s). Any issues regarding the above mentioned should be addressed directly with the appropriate company/channel.

The Author represents and warrants that all content provided:

• Is owned by the Author or the Author has obtained all necessary permissions
• Does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party
• Is not defamatory, obscene, or otherwise unlawful
• Does not contain anything libelous, defamatory, or unlawful
• Does not invade the right of privacy or publicity of any person

SERVICE PROVIDER RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Service Provider shall provide the Services in a professional and timely manner; maintain regular communication with the Author regarding project status; make reasonable efforts to adhere to the agreed-upon timeline; and apply professional standards and best practices to all aspects of the Services.

The Service Provider shall perform the Services with reasonable skill and care in accordance with industry standards.

The Service Provider shall not make substantive changes to the content of the Author's work without prior approval.

The Service Provider shall not sell or provide private information (including phone numbers and addresses) to outside parties without express permission from the Author, granted either directly or when certain services are purchased that require information be shared externally.

The Service Provider warrants and represents that:

• They have the right and ability to enter into this Agreement
• They possess the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the Services
• To the best of their knowledge, the deliverables will not infringe upon any third-party rights

PROJECT COMPLETION:

The estimated time frame is 2 months. Basic office support receives 24 - 48 hour attention Monday - Friday, 9:00 am PT - 5:00 pm PT. Major alterations to project scope or direction after work has commenced may require a reassessment of fees and timeline, to be agreed upon by both parties. Service Provider reserves the right to refuse any project or service request.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS:

The Author retains all intellectual property rights to the content of their work. The Service Provider retains the intellectual property rights to any creative elements developed by the Service Provider that are not specific to the Author's work and can be applied to other projects. Upon full payment of all fees due under this Agreement, the Service Provider grants the Author all necessary rights to use the deliverables for their intended purpose of publishing and promoting the Author's work. The Author grants the Service Provider permission to use quotes from the manuscript and any creative elements for portfolio, promotional, and demonstration purposes, unless otherwise specified in writing. The Service Provider retains ownership of all working files, templates, guides, and source files provided to the author, outside of the actual manuscript.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND CHANGES:

Any services not specified in the proposal and invoice shall be considered additional services and will be quoted separately. Changes to the project scope that require additional work, include:

• Additional revision rounds beyond those specified within the proposal or invoice
• Substantial changes to content after approval of layouts
• Changes to project specifications after work has commenced shall be subject to additional fees.

Rush services (completion requested within seven (7) days) shall incur a premium fee of 150% of the standard rate.

DELIVERY:

Completed projects are delivered via email, the Service Provider's chosen file transfer service, and/or Dropbox link.

ACCURACY:

Author assumes full responsibility for acceptance of work or services performed and agreed upon, as well as final proofreading and accuracy. Service Provider is not responsible for errors or omissions.

NSF FEES:

There is a $40 NSF (insufficient funds) fee for declined or returned payments.

LATE PAYMENTS:

Payments not received by due date will result in work cessation. Service Provider reserves the right to refuse completion or delivery of work until past due balances are paid. Monthly late charge of $10.00 or 1.75% (APR of 21%), whichever is greater, will be assessed on unpaid balances every thirty (30) days.

LIEN:

All material or property belonging to Author, as well as work performed, may be retained as security until all just claims against Author are satisfied.

LATE FEES:

Authors who consistently fail to respond to questions in a timely manner, do not supply needed information, or otherwise impair efficient workflows, increase administrative time, and prevent Service Provider from working to optimum standards and serving other clients in a fair and equal manner. Service Provider reserves the right to impose late fees and/or increase hourly rates of Authors who fall into this category.

PROPERTY:

All billing (including invoices, statements, and estimates), reports are provided as a convenience to Author at the discretion of Service Provider.

ACCURACY OF INFORMATION:

Author agrees that the accuracy of information supplied to Service Provider is the sole responsibility of Author, and that Service Provider is not responsible and shall not be held liable for the results of services performed on the basis of inaccurate, incomplete or untruthful information furnished by Author.

INDEMNIFICATION/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

Author shall indemnify, defend and save Service Provider harmless from any and all suits, costs, damages, or proceedings, including, but not limited to, Service Provider's services, pertaining to any and all litigation in which the Author is a party. Author shall pay all expenses incurred by Service Provider including, but not limited to, all attorneys' fees, costs and expenses incurred should Service Provider be named a party in any litigation to which Author is a party. Author shall further indemnify and hold harmless Service Provider and its agents, officers and directors from liability for any and all claims, costs, suits and damages, including attorneys' fees arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the operation of Author, and from liability for injuries suffered by any person relating to the Author. This agreement to indemnify Service Provider is not limited to any acts or omissions, statements or representations made by Service Provider in the performance and/or nonperformance of Service Provider's duties here under and relating to all contractual liabilities, which may be alleged or imposed against Service Provider. In the absence of negligence, however, Service Provider will not be held liable for loss, destruction or damage of any kind resulting from items which are lost or delayed in transit, whether such transit is electronic, fax, mail or otherwise, not for unauthorized use by others of such property. Service Provider will not be held liable for any incidental, consequential or indirect damages, including without limitation damages for loss of profits, business interruptions, loss of information, plagiarism, etc. Service Provider will not be held liable for typographical omissions or errors. The Service Provider's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total amount paid by the Author under this Agreement. Neither Party shall be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits or business opportunities. The Service Provider does not guarantee any specific level of sales, success, or profit resulting from the Services provided.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Both Parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary or sensitive information shared during the course of this Agreement. The Service Provider shall not share, distribute, or publish the Author's work, except as necessary to provide the Services or as authorized by the Author. This confidentiality obligation shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:

Any disputes regarding this Agreement will first be addressed through direct communication between the Author and Service Provider. If the dispute cannot be resolved through direct communication, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services). The arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles, CA, United States of America, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered into any court having jurisdiction thereof.

FORCE MAJEURE:

Neither party shall be liable for any failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of civil authorities, acts of military authorities, riots, embargoes, acts of nature and natural disasters, and other acts which may be due to unforeseen circumstances.

EXPIRATION/MODIFICATION:

The agreement shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) months or until such time as one or the other party provides written notice of cancellation. This agreement may be modified or amended as necessary after negotiations initiated by either Party. If agreement is reached, only a written instrument signed by both parties will modify or amend this agreement.

NON-DISCLOSURE AND NON-SOLICITATION:

Service Provider shall not directly or indirectly disclose to any person other than a representative of Author at any time either during the term of this agreement or following the termination or expiration thereof, any confidential or proprietary information pertaining to the Author, including but not limited to customer lists, contacts, financial data, supply sources, business opportunities for new or developing business, plans and models, or trade secrets.

GENERAL PROVISIONS:

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions and agreements. This Agreement may only be modified by a written instrument signed by both parties. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of California, United States of America. Any notices required under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to either the email addresses provided or the physical addresses provided above. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Signatures:

By signing below, both parties agree to the terms of this Publishing Services Agreement. 

Leave this empty:

Your legal name

Your email address

Please Confirm full name and signature.

Change fonts

• Draw Signature
  
• Type In Signature
  

Draw your signature with your mouse, tablet or smartphone Clear

I agree that I am and I agree this is a legal representation of my signature for all purposes just the same as a pen-and-paper signature

Insert Signature

I agree that I am and I understand this is a legal representation of my signature

Adopt & Sign

Signed by Emily Veeh
Signed On: May 6, 2026

Signature Certificate

Document name: Bookstand Publishing Agreement for The Empowered Author

Unique Document ID: f34ee814906bf85ff18a24bf0b7a87b3b6453fae

Build. Track. Sign Contracts.

Timestamp	Audit
May 6, 2026 5:12 pm PDT	Bookstand Publishing Agreement for The Empowered Author Uploaded by Emily Veeh - emily@bookstandpublishing.com IP 47.33.108.220

This audit trail report provides a detailed record of the online activity and events recorded for this document.

https://bookstandpublishing.com/

Audit Trail Serial# 5046eab6dca1033caa581b947d79a39e